I have been in the Fire service here in Greenbrier County for a number of Years and I am well aware of the Hardships departments face due to Budget crunch. Most of the time the State money provided to the Departments are not enough to meet the expenses of the department when it come's to training, upkeep of equipment, utilities ect. and most departments are forced to try and do boot drive's, bingo, bake sale's ect, just to keep their department's open. Most don't have alot of support from their community. That being said, I don't think a Fire Levy is the answer. Why raise the Taxes of residents of Greenbrier County when we are already Taxed to death. When the County Commision can give away 1.5 million dollars for a swimming pool that we can't swim in? Why not divide that money between the Vol. Fire Departments where it can be utilized in an effective manner? Also, Homeowners Insurance allows for Fire Department billing as well as Auto insurance and in many cases can be charge by the hour. I am in full support of Vol. Fire departments getting added funding because they do need it, I just think there are better ways of getting it than a Fire tax levy. We are paying a School Bond levy which we will be paying off for sometime and once it's paid for we'll not see that come off our Tax ticket I am sure. Not trying to upset anyone, just thinking of the retired couple down the street, on a fixed income and already strapped month to month and trying to decide whether to eat or buy there medication for the month...Think about it.

Definitely not good timing. Why wasn't this brought forward during the General Election? How many people will actually show up to vote? Doesn't have a good smell to it... The math also has issues... As for Home owners insurance, will not effect rates at least for three years from now...

You are right, Why wasn't this Brought forth during the General Election? I am all about letting the voter's decide but there should'nt be a Special Election to decide this. I saw on the local news that Lewisburgs Fire Chief is pushing for this fire Levy but did you know that Lewisburg has the only Paid Firefighters in the county? This really doesn't have a good smell to it.......

What about the State Money and Grants the Departments get, If this Levy Passes the state of WV will more than likely stop providing the funds to the local departments then the departments won't be receiving enough money and will want to raise the tax again. And the money doesn't add up. In my area I have paid fire dues of $25 to $35 a year, where did they get $70? As I have stated before, I am in support of departments getting added funding but this Levy is not the way to do it....

I agree so much Bryant I pay dues to Smoot area been there for years I cant aford higher <taxes or insurance raising I work 50 hrs a week at min wage not enough for anything but living glad you posted this thank you

Thank you, we really need to get all the voters onboard with this, It's really an issue we can't turn our heads too. They really need to find the money somewhere else like the Hotel, Motel Bed Tax that should have never been passed in the first place but since it was use it can be utilized in an effective Manner...Thanks

Home owners insurance can be billed, but there is a 500 dollar cap on the Billing. I believe the $70 a year is more than likely for the east end also, not the entire county. I agree its not good timing, but not everybody pays fire dues either. This way, everybody is paying for services that benefit everybody, not just the ones that pay dues. Also, I don't think state money will ever go away. Please come out to one of the open houses in your area and get answers, I think the Levy will produce more good than harm in the long run. Also if the Levy passes, there will be no more fire dues.

I am well aware of the billing of insurance for homeowners for the fire service.Like I said in earlier posts, I fully support the departments getting added funding, just not this way. This county is already over taxed then to try and slide this through a special election when it should have been on the general election agenda, well you can see why people think they are getting the wool pulled over their eye's? There is money in the Countys Budget for this without raising taxes.You don't think the State Money will ever go away but your not 100% sure are you? Do you know why the state provides funding? The money given for the departments comes from? Your insurance Premiums so in a sence we are already paying for fire due's. Has everyone weighed the pro's and con's? "No New Taxes"!! That's My opinion.......

If this is such a big, ongoing issue - can they explain why this levy didn't show up on the General Election when you typically have the largest turnout of voters? Only the people pushing for the levy will show up March 2, 2013 because the know most folks are already suffering from "Election Fatigue"!!! Again, this whole thing has a bad smell to it... How much of this levy will go for the new "Fire Commissioner" salary? The people have a right to know how their money is being spent, or wasted.

everyone wants more money from me! Several VFDs in Greenbrier county have bad experiences in the past. Levy would just reduce accountability. Spend commission funds on VFD, not swimming pools. No more TIFs, School levys, or anything else until County commission gets its act together.

everyone wants more money from me! Several VFDs in Greenbrier county have bad experiences in the past. Levy would just reduce accountability. Spend commission funds on VFD, not swimming pools. No more TIFs, School levys, or anything else until County commission gets its act together.

A person can only wonder, if the levy passes, would the departments in the west end be treated like they are when a school levy passes. The new Rainelle Elementary will be nice; however, I understand it will NOT BE as nice as the state of art Lewisburg Elementary. It should not be that way, but the west end DOES NOT get nearly so much as the east end - and the whole county pays for the results - not just the east end. I'm not trying to stir s---, just stating things as they always seem to be!

Your right! It's always been that way. The Western End of the county has always suffered even though we pay our taxes too and all the coal and coal taxes come from this end of the county. " I Say No NEW TAXES". County Commission Needs to stop these Special Elections to get things passed! Believe me they are opening Pandora's Box. When the State realizes they are receiving this money they will stop funding the departments with State money. Then they will need to raise taxes again...

I live in east side of county--believe me when I say that I will NEVER be within a 15 minute response time, but the taxes will go on forever.Lewisburg bought itself the title of "Coolest Small Town"...My opinion is that it's the "Greediest Small Town".This issue IS NOT about East vs West--its about Lewisburg getting everything.. Its just as hard to get to a Hospital, High School-Middle School, State Fair, etc from the east as it from the west!

You are so right...I think the issue has to be looked at in several directions. Now we all know we need fire protection and knowone's disputing the departments getting more funding to operate, just disputing where the money should come from ("NO NEW TAXES") and the dirty antic's in which the county try's to get thing's passed with these so called special elections. At some point someone needs to put the County Commission in it's place and let them know the Voter's here in the county are not going to tolerate corrupt Goverment....So a Special Shout out to Barry Bruce who has no problem taking on small Goverment, Keep up the good work and keep fighting for the little guy.

i have been told fayette co has a fire levey and it olny cost $24.00 a year per home owner why can't gbr co. set a flat rate all so !why charge one family one rate and others another rate? what gbr county people need to do is pack the co. commission meeting and ask why!!!!!!!!!!

Alderson should get the same amount as any other dept. if it passes, but it is something to think about. The tax payer pays for the special election and the State funds pay for fuel...Doesn't seem right does it?

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